For nearly all of us, the Olympics have created memories that endure throughout our lives. We can all pinpoint our age or location when we think back on Olympic moments from both our younger years and our later years.
Consider, for instance, those of us old enough to recall Mike Eruzione’s “shot heard ’round the world”—it feels like only yesterday—when he scored the decisive goal that beat the Russians at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Or Bruce Jenner (now Caitlin Jenner) capturing the decathlon gold at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. The list of unforgettable Olympic scenes playing through our collective memory could go on indefinitely.
Throughout the Cold War period, the Olympics functioned as a battleground between the United States and the Soviet Union, symbolizing the larger struggle between democracy and communism, freedom and oppression. Now that the Cold War has ended, the political dimension of the Olympics has largely faded away—a welcome development. While it would certainly be exciting to see America’s Justin Gatlin claim gold in the 100 meter dash, sports enthusiasts worldwide have delighted in watching Jamaica’s Usain Bolt (history’s fastest man) win race after race after race over the last two Olympics—and will surely support him and his Jamaican teammates in their bid for a third consecutive medal sweep.
The Olympic Games offer something for everyone, from the very young to the very old. With numerous sports and countless athletes competing, there are plenty of heroes for each person to champion. For many others, the host nation’s elaborate opening ceremony spectacle captivates audiences and underscores the significance and uniqueness of the event.
Yet the Olympics are not without serious concerns. Like any global event involving billions of dollars, the Games have faced numerous controversies. Hitler’s 1936 Olympics fueled Nazi propaganda. Cold War judging scandals occurred. The 1972 Munich terrorist attack claimed lives. Doping cases have emerged. Recent bribery allegations have been leveled against host countries seeking to secure the Games. These incidents stand in stark contrast to the Olympic creed itself:
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well.”
Yet the Olympic spirit persists despite these controversies, and the current Rio de Janeiro games exemplify this resilience. We encourage all our readers to carve out time to experience the 2016 games alongside their families and friends. In an era of on-demand television and live streaming on personal devices, the Olympics remain best experienced as a collective endeavor.
With only two weeks on the calendar—seize the opportunity.